PAC 740: Orange maize hybrid

High yielding orange maize hybrid, medium maturity with high field tolerance to drought

The Orange Maize PAC 740 is a high-yielding maize variety designed to produce up to 11 metric tons per hectare, with a potential of 12 tons under optimal conditions. Maturing in just 115 days, it offers strong tolerance to maize leaf blight and thrives in drought-prone environments. Rich in protein, PAC 740 is ideal for both human consumption and poultry farming, providing farmers with a reliable solution for enhanced productivity even in challenging conditions across regions like India, Thailand, and several African countries.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 9/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Much less water used

Problem

Low Yields: Farmers face persistent challenges related to low yields, directly impacting their productivity and food security.
Moisture Stress Constraints: In regions prone to water stress, water scarcity poses a major obstacle to crop growth, limiting the viability of agricultural practices.
Need for a Dual-Purpose Maize Option: Farmers have a growing need for versatile maize varieties that can be used both for grain production and as a source of fodder for livestock.
Foliar Diseases, Especially Blight: Targets the problem of foliar diseases, particularly blight, which can significantly impact crop health and yield.
Low Returns on Investment: Aims to tackle the challenge of low returns on investment by offering a seed variety with double yield potential compared to conventional varieties, thereby enhancing profitability for farmers.

Solution

Tolerance to Foliar Diseases, Especially Blight: This variety exhibits a robust tolerance to foliar diseases, particularly blight, ensuring a higher level of crop health and reducing the impact of diseases on overall yields.
Drought Tolerance: Developed with a focus on resilience, this maize variety demonstrates significant drought tolerance, allowing it to thrive in conditions of limited water availability and mitigate the adverse effects of moisture stress.
High Yields: The variety is designed to deliver high yields, enhancing overall productivity and providing farmers with a substantial increase in crop output compared to conventional varieties.
Dual-Purpose Potential: By serving as both a grain producer and a source of fodder, this hybrid seed offers a dual-purpose solution, catering to the diverse needs of farmers engaged in both crop cultivation and livestock management.
Double Yield Potential Compared to OPV: In comparison to Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs), this hybrid seed presents a remarkable double yield potential. This means farmers can expect significantly higher returns on their investment, making it a financially attractive option.

Key points to design your project

This technology improves crop yields, bolsters food security, and increases farmer income, contributing to poverty alleviation. Its drought-tolerant maize variety enhances climate resilience, while disease resistance and soil health promotion support sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, its dual-purpose nature promotes resource efficiency, aligning with sustainable consumption and production goals.

To integrate this technology into your project, consider the following activities and prerequisites:

Estimate the quantity of seeds needed for your project based on the technology cost of USD 127/ha and an average seed requirement of 20 – 25 kg/ha.
Account for delivery costs from Kenya to the project site, and consider import clearance and duties if applicable.
Allocate resources for training and post-training support provided by a team of trainers during project installation.
Develop communication materials such as flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts to promote the technology.
Enhance the optimization of the improved maize variety by associating it with legumes through intercropping or rotation, and combining manure application and mulching to improve nutrient and water availability.
Collaborate with agricultural development institutes and seed multiplication companies to implement the technology in your country.

Cost: $$$ 127 USD/ha

Average cost of seeds for a farmer

30 %

Estimated ROI

540 USD/ha

Total input costs

2000 USD/ha

Estimated average gross income

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	–Not adopted
Cameroon	Tested	–Not adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	–Not adopted
Sierra Leone	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–	–	–	–
Semiarid	–		–
Subhumid	–		–
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 13: climate action

Soil Preparation: Ensure adequate soil preparation with proper drainage to optimize root development and nutrient absorption. Soil Type: Well-drained with clay content; Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5.
Planting Time: Plant seeds during the recommended period for your region to maximize growth and reduce exposure to adverse weather conditions.
Planting Depth and Spacing: Optimal planting density is 62,000 to 65,000 plants per hectare, with spacing of 60 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants.
Water Management: Implement efficient water management practices, including irrigation scheduling and conservation techniques, to mitigate moisture stress and promote growth.
Fertilization: Apply 40:20:20 NPK (kg/ac) during planting, with additional basal and top dressing fertilization after 35-40 days.
Weed Control: Use pre-emergence herbicides within two days after planting on moist soil. Employ post-emergence selective herbicides for maize and conduct hand weeding as needed.
Disease and Pest Management: Regularly monitor crops for signs of diseases and pests, and apply appropriate control measures to minimize yield losses.
Harvesting: Harvest maize at the optimal stage of maturity to maximize yield and quality. Ensure proper post-harvest handling to preserve grain quality.